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Transform Your Healthy Eating: 6 Fun and Exciting Tips

 

Healthy eating should be enjoyable and exciting, not a chore.

Many people mistakenly believe that nutritious food is bland and repetitive. However, with a little creativity, you can make healthy meals both delicious and engaging.

Lexi Linsenman, a chef, dietitian, and development manager at the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture, emphasizes the importance of having fun with your food.

Here are six steps to make your healthy eating journey more enjoyable:

 

1. Embrace Locally Grown Produce

 

Local produce tastes better and is more nutritious than store-bought alternatives.

Locally grown vegetables and fruits are fresher and more flavorful. Start by growing a few vegetables at home or join a community garden.

If gardening isn’t for you, visit local farmer’s markets or subscribe to a produce delivery service for fresh, seasonal fruits and vegetables.

 

2. Elevate Your Food’s Visual Appeal

 

We eat with our eyes first. Adding a variety of colors to your plate makes meals more enticing.

Use a mix of colorful vegetables and fruits to create visually appealing dishes.

Garnish with fresh herbs, diced nuts, and citrus zest to add flavor and aesthetic appeal.

Try using edible flowers like borage, dandelion, nasturtium, squash blossom, sunflower, and zinnia to enhance the presentation.

 

3. Add Flavor with Spices

 

Spices add fragrance, flavor, and texture to your meals.

They can transform a simple dish into a culinary delight. Experiment with different spices and herbs to keep your taste buds excited.

Consider starting a windowsill herb garden to have fresh herbs on hand.

 

4. Experiment with High-Heat Cooking

 

High-heat cooking methods like sautéing, broiling, or using a pressure cooker can prepare meals quickly while adding a delightful texture and aroma.

Use oils with high smoke points, such as avocado, canola, sunflower, or sesame oil.

Combine basic ingredients like garlic, onions, salt, pepper, protein, and vegetables for a quick and flavorful meal.

 

5. Diversify Your Menu

 

Variety is key to maintaining healthy eating habits.

Meal prep for a few days at a time, focusing on versatile ingredients like rice, potatoes, proteins (chicken, tofu, shrimp, steak), and vegetables.

Mix and match these ingredients with different sauces to keep meals interesting and satisfying.

 

6. Find Support for Your Healthy Eating Journey

 

Having support makes it easier to maintain healthy eating habits. Partner with a friend, co-worker, or family member to stay motivated.

Join local resources like the Columbia Center for Urban Agriculture for education, fresh produce, and meal ideas.

Utilize online communities on Pinterest, Facebook, and Instagram for recipes and advice.

 

-          A Chef Lex Recipe to Get You Started

 

-          Simple, Healthy Pad Thai

 

Ingredients:

- 1 cup cooked rice pad Thai noodles

- 2 cups thinly shredded cabbage

- 2 cups chopped carrots

- 3 cloves garlic, minced

- 1/2 tsp minced ginger

- 2 tbsp avocado oil

- 1 cup cooked chicken/beef/protein (optional)

- 2 poached eggs

- 1/3 cup nuts

- 1 lime, sliced

- 2 tbsp soy sauce or liquid aminos

- 1 tsp fried chilies in oil (optional)

- 1/4 cup sliced green onions

- 1 tbsp peanut butter

- 1 bunch nasturtium (optional)

- Thai chilies for heat

 

Directions:

1. Heat oil in a large skillet for 1-2 minutes.

2. Add sliced cabbage and carrots, cooking for 10 minutes while stirring occasionally.

3. Add garlic, ginger, protein, and noodles, reducing heat to low.

4. In a small bowl, whisk together soy sauce or liquid aminos, peanut butter, chilies in oil, green onions, and Thai chilies until smooth.

5. Turn off the heat and pour the sauce over the noodles, stirring to combine.

6. Add two poached eggs, letting the yolk enhance the sauce.

7. Garnish with nasturtium, diced nuts, and lime slices. Add more Thai chilies if desired.

 

Healthy eating can be exciting and full of flavor.

By incorporating these six tips and experimenting with recipes like the Simple, Healthy Pad Thai, you can make nutritious meals that are enjoyable and satisfying.

Embrace these strategies and transform your healthy eating experience today.

 

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